Root canal treatment typically costs between $620 and $1,500, depending on which tooth needs work. Front teeth are the least expensive, and molars are the most. That base price covers the root canal itself, but you’ll likely pay additional fees for the crown, imaging, and possibly sedation, which can push your total bill higher.
Cost by Tooth Type
The single biggest factor in root canal pricing is which tooth is being treated. Back teeth have more roots and canals, making the procedure longer and more complex. Based on data from Delta Dental, here’s what to expect for out-of-network pricing:
- Front tooth: $620 to $1,100
- Premolar (bicuspid): $720 to $1,300
- Molar: $890 to $1,500
In-network prices with a dental insurance plan will generally fall at or below the lower end of these ranges. A front tooth root canal can sometimes be completed in a single visit, while molars often require two appointments, which also factors into the higher cost.
The Crown Adds to Your Total
A root canal removes infected tissue from inside the tooth, but the tooth itself still needs to be sealed and protected afterward. In most cases, that means a dental crown. Crowns typically cost $800 to $1,500 on their own, which means your all-in cost for a molar root canal plus crown can land anywhere from $1,700 to $3,000. Front teeth sometimes only need a filling rather than a full crown, keeping the total lower.
Some dentists include the buildup (the foundation placed before the crown) in the crown fee, while others bill it separately for $200 to $400. Ask your dentist’s office for an itemized estimate before the procedure so there are no surprises.
Additional Fees to Expect
Beyond the root canal and crown, a few other charges may appear on your bill. Most dentists take X-rays before and during the procedure. Standard dental X-rays are usually bundled into exam fees, but a 3D scan (CBCT imaging), which some complex cases require, can add $150 to $400.
Sedation is another optional cost. If you want more than the standard local anesthetic:
- Nitrous oxide (laughing gas): $25 to $100 per visit
- Oral sedation: $150 to $500 per visit
- IV sedation: $500 to $1,500 per visit
Most root canals are done with just local anesthesia, so sedation is an added comfort choice rather than a necessity.
How Location Affects Price
Root canal costs vary somewhat by region, though the differences across U.S. states are smaller than many people assume. States in the Midwest, like Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, and Kansas, tend to sit at the higher end of the range (roughly $912 to $1,259), while states like Arizona and Colorado cluster slightly lower (around $890 to $1,221). The bigger price swings happen between urban and rural areas within the same state, and between general dentists and endodontists (specialists who focus exclusively on root canals). Endodontists typically charge more but also handle the most complex cases.
What Dental Insurance Covers
Most dental insurance plans classify root canals as a “major” procedure and cover 50% to 80% of the cost after your deductible. That means your out-of-pocket share on a $1,000 molar root canal could range from $200 to $500. The crown is usually covered under the same major-procedure category at a similar percentage.
One catch to watch for is your plan’s annual maximum, which is the total amount your insurance will pay in a calendar year. Many plans cap this at $1,000 to $2,000. If you’ve already used benefits for other dental work that year, you may hit that ceiling before the root canal and crown are fully covered. If timing is flexible, scheduling the root canal and crown across two calendar years (root canal in December, crown in January, for example) can help you use two years of benefits.
Paying Without Insurance
If you don’t have dental insurance, you still have options to reduce costs. Many dental offices offer payment plans, sometimes interest-free for 6 to 12 months, through third-party financing. Dental schools are another route. Universities with dental programs offer root canals performed by supervised students or residents at significantly reduced fees, often 30% to 50% less than private practice rates.
Dental discount plans (not insurance, but membership programs) charge an annual fee of $80 to $200 and give you access to negotiated rates at participating dentists, typically saving 15% to 40% on procedures. Some offices also offer a cash-pay discount if you pay in full at the time of service.
Root Canal vs. Extraction: Cost Comparison
When facing a root canal bill, some people consider simply pulling the tooth instead. A basic extraction costs $150 to $400, which looks like an obvious savings. But a missing tooth creates problems over time: neighboring teeth shift, your bite changes, and bone loss begins in the empty socket. Replacing an extracted tooth with a dental implant typically costs $3,000 to $6,000 for a single tooth, including the implant post, connector piece, and crown. A bridge is somewhat less expensive but still runs $1,500 to $3,000 and requires filing down the healthy teeth on either side.
In most cases, keeping your natural tooth through a root canal is both the less expensive and the better long-term option. The exception is a tooth that’s too damaged to restore, where extraction becomes the only practical path forward.